News, features & reviews from Scotland's national theatre

National Theatre of Scotland launches 2013 season

The National Theatre of Scotland has launched its season for 2013, offerering up ten brand new theatre projects and three acclaimed productions back by popular demand.

Vicky Featherstone artistic director said:

‘I hope that audiences will enjoy the varied and exciting work from some of Scotland’s most extraordinary talent, in this year’s programme. At a time when the arts are facing some of their greatest challenges for a while, it is wonderful to know that our theatre makers continue to energetically pursue thrilling ways to tell stories and connect with audiences.‘

At a glance the 2013 season looks like this:

March – April

Wils Wilson leads a creative team to inspire the whole of Shetland to take part in creating an ambitious site-specific production about fuel and carsand their impact on island life.Ignition is presented by the National Theatre of Scotland in association with Shetland Arts. Supported by Creative Scotland’s First in a Lifetime Fund.

The National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with ÒranMór presents a season of new work from China, curated by Davey Anderson. This is the National Theatre of Scotland and Òran Mór’s third international A Play, A Pie and A Pint collaboration. Four to six new plays from China will form part of Òran Mór’s Spring season. World premieres.

Graham McLaren directs A Doll’s House, in a version by Zinnie Harris at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh from 13April to 4 May 2013. A National Theatre of Scotland production. Scottish Premiere.

May – June

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean is adapted for the first time for stage by Abigail Docherty and directed by Lu Kemp. An interactive promenade adventure for everyone over six and their family. Touring Scotland. World Premiere.

A new radical performance project from the pioneering Untitled Projects. Paul Bright’s Confessions of a Justified Sinner reconstructed byUntitled Projects, in a co-production with the National Theatre of Scotland and Tramway. AtTramway, Glasgow from 13 to 22 June 2013. Directed by Stewart Laing. World Premiere.

A major new production about young love and horror. The National Theatre of Scotland and Marla Rubin Productions Ltd in association with Dundee Rep Theatre presentLet the Right One In, a stage adaptation by Jack Thorne based on the Swedish novel and screenplay of the cult Swedish romantic horror film by John Ajvide Lindquist, directed by John Tiffany and with associate direction by Steven Hoggett. At Dundee Rep Theatre from 6 to 29 June. World Premiere.

September – October

Graham McLaren invigorates Joe Corrie’s impassioned tale of striking miners, In Time O’Strife in a radical new production. Touring village halls in Fife.

Vox Motus, the National Theatre of Scotland and Beijing Children’s Art Theatre present Dragon. A magical production for families in an innovative international/Scottish partnership. Dates to be announced shortly. World Premiere.

In addition:

A new project, written and directed by Anthony Neilson. Full details to be announced.

Five new pieces of work, the culmination of their individual research programmes, from the artists on the National Theatre of Scotland and The Arches’ Auteurs Creative Development Programme: Rob Drummond, Kieran Hurley, Gary McNair, Nic Green and Claire Cunningham. Supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Productions touring as part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s repertoire:

David Greig’s majestic sequel to Macbeth is back. The National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Shakespeare Company presentDunsinane at Eden Court, Inverness, 24 to 31 August, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, 3to 7September, Theatre Royal Glasgow, 10 to 14 September, Kings Theatre, Edinburgh 1 to 5 October and further UK dates to be announced.

The National Theatre of Scotland presents Black Watch inSeattle25 April to 5 May 2013 and San Francisco, 9 May to 16 June 2013.

David Harrower’s elegiac adaptation of Roger Hutchinson’s book, a massive hit with audiences in 2011, is back on the road. Communicado Theatre and the National Theatre of Scotland present Calum’s Road, touring throughout Scotland from May to July 2013. Supported by Creative Scotland.

Additional projects, tours, venues, dates to be announced at a later date.

About National Theatre of Scotland

In its short life, the National Theatre of Scotland has already earned a significant national and international reputation for its daring and originality.
The National Theatre of Scotland was established in 2006 and has created over 200 productions. Being a theatre without walls and building-free, the Company presents a wide variety of work that ranges from large-scale productions to projects tailored to the smallest performing spaces. In addition to conventional theatres, the Company has performed in airports, schools, tower blocks, community halls, ferries and forests.
The National Theatre of Scotland creates much of its work in partnership with theatre-makers, companies, venues and participants across the globe. From extraordinary projects with schools and communities, to the ground-breaking online 5 Minute Theatre to landmark pieces such as The James Plays by Rona Munro - the National Theatre of Scotland’s aspiration is to tell the stories that need to be told and to take work to wherever audiences are to be found.